More bungalows and semi-detached for rent in February

- Strong bids for SLA’s launch of State bungalows and apartments in January
- Projected a total of 36 units available by 1st half of 2008

1 The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is offering another 6 residential State properties comprising 4 bungalows and 2 semi-detached on its open bidding system from 16 February onwards. The 6 properties are located in Seletar, Sembawang and Lornie Road. Please see Annex A.

2 This follows a successful launch in January, which saw 75 bids for 5 residential properties comprising 2 black-and-white bungalows and 3 apartments. There was keen interest with over 200 prospective tenants attending the open house at Clemenceau Ave North, Hyderabad Road, and Dover Road. The winning bids ranged between $1,856 per month (built-in floor area of about 53 sqm for an apartment at Clemenceau Ave North) and $20,258 per month (built-in floor area of 369 sqm for a bungalow at Hyderabad Rd). Details of the bids are at Annex B.

3 SLA has received positive response to the open bidding. The open bidding system enhances transparency compared to the previous “first-come-first-serve” under a waiting list or balloting system. SLA’s Managing Agents (MAs) will inform those interested in vacant State properties that are available for bidding. The public has access to a wide choice of properties and the process is also more efficient. Bidders can submit their bids at SLA’s office on the Monday immediately following the open house on Saturday. The bidding will close on the Friday of that week at 12pm and the results of the bidding showing the top five bids will be published on SLA’s State Property Information Online (SPIO) website within hours of the close of bidding. As such, bidders will now not be required to make a trip to SLA’s office for the results. SLA’s MAs will contact the successful bidder to sign the tenancy agreement at the agent’s office.

4 Said SLA’s Deputy Director of Land Lease Private, Mr Teo Cher Hian: “The keen response to the launch of the open bidding system for residential State properties shows that the rental market for residential properties is still buoyant. This is evident even for the smaller apartments, which are very popular with singles and those with small families.”

5 The appeal of living in a heritage black-and-white building is shared by many. Lush greenery, unique and heritage architectural designs and most of all, the ideal location near many public amenities, were often cited as reasons for their penchant for heritage State buildings.

6 For 47-year-old Mr Quah Jin Kok, it appeared to be an obvious choice. A second-time bidder, he liked the new system as it allowed him to bid for the next available apartment if he was not successful in the previous round.

7 “When I first saw a picture of the apartment, I was attracted to its simple structure and its peaceful environment. It is in a building built in the early 60s. I like its resemblance to an old colonial building with old style windows,” said Mr Quah, a business analyst, who is now the proud tenant of a 3rd-storey apartment at Clemenceau Ave North, after an unsuccessful bid for another on the 8th floor. He put in the top bid of $2,500 per month for a two-year tenancy. Previously, Mr Quah was renting a HDB flat at Waterloo Street. “Most of the State properties that I am aware of are old but well-preserved”.

8 Besides Mr Quah, another first-time bidder Ms Norfalizah Bte Sowtali also managed to get the apartment she wanted. Ms Norfalizah, 29, a personal trainer, was looking for a place near her workplace at Novena, and which has public amenities nearby such as a MRT station and a food centre. The unit at Clemenceau North hence suited her needs.

9 Currently, SLA manages about 2,360 residential State properties and will progressively place those with available tenancies of at least two years on the open bidding system.

10 SLA has projected that it will place 8 more properties for rent in March and about 36 units in total by the first half of this year. Viewing for the first batch of properties is on 16 February. More details on the schedules and guide rent can be found at our SPIO website.

-End-

Issued by:
The Singapore Land Authority
5 February 2008

Additional Information

1. How the open bidding system works

The SLA will put up suitable vacant State properties for residential use for rent, with a tenure period of 2 years. Smaller units with tenures fewer than 2 years will not be put up on this new system for the time being. Those keen to rent can find out more information through the SLA website or SLA’s State Property Information Online portal (SPIO). The public can also contact SLA’s appointed managing agents (MA) on information of such properties. Details of available houses as well as the contacts of the managing agents are posted on the Singapore Land Authority's (SLA) State Property Information Online website at www.spio.sla.gov.sg.

All our MAs will also inform all prospective tenants who have registered their interest for any State property or in the property available for bidding, and request them to check the SLA/SPIO website regularly.

An open house will be conducted on a Saturday from 11am-3pm where all can view the property. At the open house, the public will be given a fact sheet of the property and the bidding form.

Interested parties have to submit their bidding form in one of the tender boxes at SLA office at 8 Shenton Way, Level 26, within 1 week from the date of viewing to the following Friday, 12 noon. A refundable Bidding Deposit will be required for each bid submitted to deter frivolous bidding and ensure compliance with the conditions set out for the bidding.

The bidding starts on the Monday immediately following the Open house on Saturday. The bidding will close on the very Friday, 12pm. The bids will be evaluated immediately after the close of the bidding and results will be announced on the same day.

Annex A: Properties available for rent in February 2008

Annex B: Details of and the bid price awarded for the properties launched in Jan 2008